Study in Hong Kong and experience world-class academic programmes and research opportunities in Asia's World City. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme now calls for applications.
Established in 2009 by the Research Grants Council (RGC), the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD programmes in Hong Kong’s universities.
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| Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. Photo credit RGC |
The Fellowship Scheme will provide a competitive annual stipend and conference and research-related travel allowance per year up to three years. Initial application is accepted from September to December.
About Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
The Research Grants Council (RGC) of the Hong Kong University Grants Committee (UGC) is committed to promoting world-class research in Hong Kong. Through our PhD Fellowships, Hong Kong’s outstanding universities offer research opportunities in a broad range of PhD programmes, with generous stipends and excellent support for the best and brightest students in the world. On behalf of the RGC, I proudly present to you the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2022/23.
Established by the RGC in 2009, the prestigious Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme has brought about two thousand five hundred top students from around ninety countries/regions to Hong Kong to undertake PhD studies in our highly ranked research universities in fields ranging from humanities, business and social sciences, to engineering, medical and physical sciences. Following the success in the first twelve rounds, we are looking for talented people who wish to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong, and aspire to be research elites of the time to take part in the Thirteenth Round, study awards of which will commence in the 2022/23 academic year.
Hong Kong, long an international business and finance centre and a unique bridge between East and West, draws talent from all corners of the globe. Our research universities have strong dynamism and drive, with international faculty and students excelling in the forefront of research.
Our Fellowship programme unites cultural diversity and a rich research environment. Hong Kong’s universities are extending the boundaries of various fields including sciences, engineering, humanities, arts, social sciences, medicine, biotechnology, business, and specialisations such as AI and robotics, infectious diseases, Fintech, urban green engineering, textile design, logistics and supply chain management.
Our universities host some of Asia’s – and the world’s – best facilities and programmes, from our world-class business management programmes to pioneering research in areas such as brain science, avian influenza, liver transplantation, nanoscience and new materials, wireless communications, China studies, clean energy and sustainable environment, and Chinese medicine. With English as the medium of instruction and research universities steeped in international collaboration, research and career opportunities abound.
Requirements
Applicants should satisfy the following minimum entrance requirements:
- hold a higher degree by research (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
- hold a taught Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
- hold a Bachelor’s degree with first class honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university.
The equivalent qualifications mentioned above include relevant professional qualifications and other scholarly achievements recognised by the University. Individual Departments and Schools may prescribe additional entrance requirements.
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants from non-English speaking universities are required to attach their TOEFL or IELTS score results with their PhD applications, unless they can provide proof that English is the language of instruction for all courses that qualify them for entrance to their proposed PhD programmes.
Fellowship Benefits
The Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$322,800 (approximately US$41,400) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$13,500 (approximately US$1,730) per year for each awardee for a period up to three years. 300 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2022/23 academic year*. For awardees who need more than three years to complete the PhD degree, additional support may be provided by the chosen universities. For details, please contact the universities concerned directly.
How to Apply for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
Eligible candidates should first make an Initial Application online through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES) to obtain an HKPFS Reference Number by 1 December 2021 at Hong Kong Time 12:00:00 before submitting applications for PhD admission to their desired universities.
Applicants may choose up to two programmes / departments at one or two universities for PhD study under HKPFS 2022/23. They should comply with the admission requirements of their selected universities and programmes.
As the deadlines for applications to some of the universities may immediately follow that of the Initial Application, candidates should submit initial applications as early as possible to ensure that they have sufficient time to submit applications to universities.
Eligibility
Candidates who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students in the following eight universities, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply.
- City University of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Lingnan University
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The Education University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The University of Hong Kong
Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
Application Procedure
- Submit Initial Application to Research Grants Council - Apply online here
- Submit Full Applications to Proposed Universities in Hong Kong. Below are the list of participating universities in Hong Kong.
- City University of Hong Kong
- HKBU - Hong Kong Baptist University
- LU - Lingnan University
- CUHK - The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- EdUHK -The Education University of Hong Kong
- PolyU - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- HKUST - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- HKU - The University of Hong Kong